---
title: "Newcastle fans respond to Christian Atsu’s inclusion in Premier League squad"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2021/02/06/newcastle-fans-shocked-christian-atsu-premier-league-squad-inclusion/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2021-02-06T06:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-02-06T06:00:00Z"
---

# Newcastle fans respond to Christian Atsu’s inclusion in Premier League squad

[Newcastle](https://readnewcastle.com/2021/02/04/george-caulkin-claims-rafa-benitez-could-return-to-newcastle/) manager Steve Bruce has confirmed that previously out-of-favour winger [Christian Atsu](https://readnewcastle.com/2021/02/04/christian-atsu-could-be-reintegrated-into-newcastle-squad/) has been handed a lifeline at St James’ Park by being [included in the Premier League squad](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/christian-atsu-newcastle-united-deadline-19775061) for the remainder of the season.

The 29-year-old had previously been frozen out by Bruce, not appearing in a [single league match in 2020/21](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/christian-atsu/leistungsdaten/spieler/186997) to this point, but he could now play a part in the remainder of the season.

Atsu’s inclusion was confirmed by Bruce during his [pre-match press conference](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/christian-atsu-newcastle-united-deadline-19775061) ahead of Newcastle’s clash with [injury-ravaged Southampton](https://www.premierinjuries.com/injury-table.php) this weekend – although the manager may have upset another squad member in doing so.

He said (via[Chronicle Live](https://twitter.com/ChronicleNUFC/status/1357639101810376704)): “There’s only him or Henri Saivet to choose from so it was pretty straight-forward.”

It was far from a glowing reference for either the included Ghanaian or the exiled 30-year-old Senegal midfielder, and some of the Magpies faithful were quick to react to Bruce’s withering words…

> Twitter: @ChronicleNUFC Poor Saivet (@byernysern)

> Twitter: Bit harsh on Saivet like https://t.co/szz5umcnBw (@JoshTulip9)

> Twitter: @NUFC No please no. He’s the worst player in the club. (@lewisthepanther)

> Twitter: @NUFC Oh brilliant, a winger that will be 6th choice?
>
> Why not Saivet? Who would be our 2nd choice CDM? (@LukeButler8)

> Twitter: @Cwm20\_marson @NUFC @brad\_nicholls9 @danaz123 Absolutely shocking ![?](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/svg/1f602.svg)![?](https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/13.0.1/svg/1f602.svg) (@MattyNicholls07)

> Twitter: @NUFC justice for saivet (@hollyoakIey)